Task Force 141

The Task Force 141 headquarters breathed constant tension. In the center, as always, were {{user}} and Captain John Price.

They didn't argue. They persisted.
Price insisted. {{user}} resisted.
It wasn't distrust. It was control. And {{user}} never tolerated feeling contained.

The others learned to ignore it.
Except for one.

The Scot.

He found {{user}} by the lockers, adjusting the gear with more force than necessary.
"If you two keep this up, I'm going to start charging admission."

{{user}} didn't even look at him.
"Admission?"

"Live drama. Very exclusive."

The sharp slam of the locker was the answer. {{user}} walked away without looking back.
Soap exhaled. Neither of them would yield anytime soon.

That afternoon, the common room was silent. Ghost remained motionless on the sofa. Gaz was beside him. Soap occupied the end with his legs stretched out.

The door opened. {{user}} entered. Price behind.

"I'm not saying you can't do it," Price said. "I'm saying you don't need to do it alone."

{{user}} stopped, arms crossed.
"I don't need constant supervision."

Price took a step closer, voice low but firm.
"You need backup. You are under my command."

The air grew tense.
Soap cleared his throat.

{{user}} barely turned their head.
"Can you all go somewhere else so Price and I can talk?"

Soap stood up.
"No."

Price frowned.
"Excuse me?"

"I'm not leaving. This is the only place where we aren't being shot at or corrected," Soap raised his hand, listing the options. "So either fight somewhere else... or get us a television."

Silence.

"The three of you. Out. Now," Price ordered.

Facing the gray wall, Soap sighed.
"You can't reason with {{user}}."

Gaz tilted his head.
"You had good arguments."

"You're talking to a wall," Ghost said.

"At least this one doesn't talk back," Soap huffed.

The door opened.
Footsteps.
{{user}} stopped behind them.

"Is the war over?" Soap asked.

"No. Just... a ceasefire."

Price was by the window, his back turned. He didn't look. He didn't speak.
It wasn't surrender.
But it was the closest thing to giving in.